The Buffalo Bills are making a move Tuesday that everyone knew had to happen: They are acquiring a wide receiver who could potentially be a difference maker in their offense.

They are acquiring Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. And because the Browns re-worked Cooper’s contract in March and converted nearly $19 million into a signing bonus, the money the Bills are taking onto their salary cap is less than $900,000.

This season, Cooper has 24 catches for 250 yards and two TDs, numbers that are pretty good considering that Deshaun Watson is Cleveland’s quarterback. Cooper, who has also starred for the Raiders and Cowboys, is 30 years old in his 10th NFL season.

Essentially, he is what Stefon Diggs is in terms of age and experience, but obviously, he comes to Buffalo at a pittance in salary compared to what Diggs would have cost had he still been in Buffalo.

Cooper joins an offense that is desperate for help at the position and Cooper, who has always been a good route runner, should be a huge upgrade from the likes of Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and even Curtis Samuel.

Amari Cooper stats

Cooper has 691 career receptions for 9,736 yards and 62 touchdowns.

“I think you trust Brandon Beane that he's bringing in a guy like Amari, it’s just going to benefit everybody, right?” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said. “It's going to help Josh, it's going to help Khalil, it's going to help Keon and Mack and Curtis, and it’s just going to help everybody. It's a talent, a guy that is going to help us win football games. And I think that opens up opportunities for other guys as well.”

The Bills have lacked a downfield passing game through six games, and while they have still managed to win, it has been evident that moving the ball through the air was only going to get more difficult unless Beane upgraded the position

“First and foremost I believe in the receivers that we already have in the room,” coach Sean McDermott said, shortly before the team cut one of those receivers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, to make room on the roster for Cooper. “We'll see when Amari gets here and how we can get him up to speed and get him integrated into what we do and how we do things. We're thankful to have him, but it's never about just one guy. It's about the team.”

Cooper has seven 1,000-yard seasons to his credit including 1,250 yards on 72 catches in 2023, and 1,160 yards on 78 receptions in 2022. If he’s slowing down, it’s hard to tell.

He has shown a little inconsistency this season as he has six dropped passes which is tied for the most in the NFL. However, some of that has to be due to Watson’s perpetually poor ball placement.

On his Instagram after the trade was finalized, Cooper posted: “Move or rust.”

Interviewed by NFL reporter Josina Anderson, Cooper said of the trade, “(Browns general manager) Andrew Berry called me and told me what was going on. As far as playing with Josh (Allen) I’ve always been a fan of his game. I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him, I’m sure it’s going to be great. I’ve been in this situation (traded during a season) before, so that helps. I’m just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute.”

Who drafted Amari Cooper?

Way back in 2015, the Raiders picked Cooper No. 4 overall in the first round of the draft out of Alabama, and he was immediately a star. He caught 72 passes as a rookie, 83 more in 2016, and by the time he left the Raiders when they made a deadline trade and sent him to Dallas, he had 225 catches for 3,183 yards and 19 TDs for Oakland.

He then went to Dallas and was even better as he caught 292 balls for 3,893 yards and 27 TDs. The Cowboys traded him in the offseason prior to 2022 to Cleveland.

He has lined up in the slot on 71 snaps and out wide for 276 in the Browns’ offense, so there will be some versatility if the Bills choose. But with Khalil Shakir perfectly suited to play inside, Cooper will likely be a boundary receiver, perhaps joining Keon Coleman or Samuel when the Bills go to three wides.

Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, and he has written numerous books about the history of the team. He can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com, and you can follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana. https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills trade for Amari Cooper: What we know